"I feel like I've made some improvements over the last couple of days on that and at least I know I'm trending in the right direction heading into the Open Championship".

After five holes he is four shots behind England's Lee Westwood who has moved six under after five holes - that's two under par for the day.

McIlroy has spent the last four years as tournament host of the Irish Open, during which time it has become part of the lucrative Rolex Series and seen its prize fund rise to USD7million (£5.3million). "It's just a matter of being a little more efficient and taking my opportunities when I give myself them, be just a little more efficient with my scoring".

He began the day in a three-way tie for the lead but stormed to the turn in just 29 shots on his way to a superb 66 to finish 14-under par. "Simple as that. If I had 100 putts every week I played and hit the ball halfway decent, I'd win every week".

The chasing players to the leader are New Zealander Ryan Fox and Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, who both had held the lead with Van Rooyen overnight.

Simon Thornton is tied with Lowry after also carding a 74, with Paul Dunne and Graeme McDowell a further shot back after rounds of 72 and 73 respectively.

Pinoy, 4 daughters killed in United States auto crash
Following the tragic crash, Audi's brother, Daniel Trinidad , told the nypost that the family was devastated over the sudden loss. The driver of the pickup, a 44-year-old Maryland , was treated and released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

"It's been an eye-opener to see how much goes into running a golf tournament and it's been great for me, especially for the future", McIlroy added.

Four Thai schoolboys rescued from flooded caveJul 11, 2018 - 04:50
Multiple calls to senior government officials and military personnel leading the rescue operation rang unanswered Monday evening. But authorities became anxious in recent days as oxygen levels inside the cave dropped due to a high presence of rescue workers.

Thai Navy SEALs Say All 13 RescuedJul 11, 2018 - 04:49
The group was exploring the Tham Luang Cave after a June 23 practice when monsoon rains flooded the cave and blocked their exit. Two of the boys are being treated for potential lung infections - but they're expected to make a full recovery.

LA Lakers make LeBron James' arrival officialJul 11, 2018 - 04:44
It's not a stretch to say that Magic Johnson's No. 1 goal this summer was getting LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers . We'd been going through so many scenarios, also meeting with Jeanie, talking about what we thought would be important.

U.S. eyes tariffs on $200B more Chinese importsJul 11, 2018 - 04:25
Also Monday, German automaker BMW AG said it would raise prices on US-built SUVs exported China due to higher tariffs. The move comes just days after the U.S. and China imposed tit-for-tat tariffs of $34bn on the other countries' goods.

Rockets reportedly 'determined' to sign Carmelo AnthonyJul 11, 2018 - 02:27
First, it was Trevor Ariza bolting for a one-year, $15 million in Phoenix, leaving them without their veteran wing starter. Worryingly, his presence on the court saw the Thunder's team plus/minus rating slide to negative 14.3 during the playoffs.

Hero or villain? Trump's court pick is in for a fightJul 11, 2018 - 01:05
Judge Kavanaugh recently voiced disagreement with a court decision allowing an undocumented teenage immigrant to have an abortion. Still, they could try to sour the hearings by attacking Kavanaugh and trying to complicate the proceedings whenever possible.

Boris Johnson quits amid government chaosJul 11, 2018 - 00:53
Yesterday, when Johnson was supposed to be hosting a summit on the Western Balkans, Downing Street announced he had also gone. If May survives the domestic political turmoil, she still has to convince European Union leaders that her proposals can work.